Contributions
Abstract: P1284
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Background: Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be a lengthy and stressful process. Difficulties during this challenging period may influence people's perception of MS, their relationships with the healthcare team, and can contribute to ongoing MS adjustment. Therefore, providing support to people with MS (pwMS) around diagnosis is important. However, there is limited evidence of which intervention strategies are most effective in supporting pwMS around the point of diagnosis.
Aims: To describe, evaluate, and synthesise evidence on psychosocial adjustment to MS, to map and identify available services and models for newly diagnosed pwMS, and to explore the effectiveness of these services.
Methods: We systematically searched six electronic databases and grey literature to identify systematic reviews on psychosocial adjustment in pwMS. Quality was assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews checklist, and data entered on a structured data extraction form. Extracted data were synthesised using narrative approach.
Results: Twenty-seven systematic reviews were included. A wide range of psychosocial factors were identified in relation to MS adjustment (e.g., negative and positive emotional responses, diagnosis process, management techniques, etc.). Seven models and theories were identified that underpinned the available interventions that aided people's adjustment to MS. We identified 57 different types of interventions for adjustment to MS or for newly diagnosed pwMS, which fell within 10 intervention categories (e.g. cognitive behavioural interventions, educational programmes, relaxation activities, etc.). There was some evidence that these interventions improved coping with MS and quality of life. However, how much difference these interventions could make to people's adjustment was inconclusive.
Conclusion: Although there were interventions that were developed to improve psychosocial adjustment, it was difficult to conclude from the available evidence whether these interventions were particularly effective with newly diagnosed patient groups as most of the interventions were administered to and tested with mixed groups of pwMS (i.e., newly diagnosed and people diagnosed longer than 5 years). Our findings demonstrated that there is a need to design a support programme that specifically targets newly diagnosed pwMS to provide effective emotional support and advice around the point of diagnosis.
Disclosure: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. This research is funded by the MS Society UK.
Gogem Topcu: Nothing to disclose.
Holly Griffiths: Nothing to disclose.
Clare Bale: Nothing to disclose.
Avril Drummond: Nothing to disclose.
Nikos Evangelou: Nothing to disclose.
Sara Clarke: Nothing to disclose.
Emma Trigg: Nothing to disclose.
Kristy-Jane Martin: Nothing to disclose.
Deborah Fitzsimmons: Nothing to disclose.
Roshan dasNair: Nothing to disclose.
Abstract: P1284
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Background: Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be a lengthy and stressful process. Difficulties during this challenging period may influence people's perception of MS, their relationships with the healthcare team, and can contribute to ongoing MS adjustment. Therefore, providing support to people with MS (pwMS) around diagnosis is important. However, there is limited evidence of which intervention strategies are most effective in supporting pwMS around the point of diagnosis.
Aims: To describe, evaluate, and synthesise evidence on psychosocial adjustment to MS, to map and identify available services and models for newly diagnosed pwMS, and to explore the effectiveness of these services.
Methods: We systematically searched six electronic databases and grey literature to identify systematic reviews on psychosocial adjustment in pwMS. Quality was assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews checklist, and data entered on a structured data extraction form. Extracted data were synthesised using narrative approach.
Results: Twenty-seven systematic reviews were included. A wide range of psychosocial factors were identified in relation to MS adjustment (e.g., negative and positive emotional responses, diagnosis process, management techniques, etc.). Seven models and theories were identified that underpinned the available interventions that aided people's adjustment to MS. We identified 57 different types of interventions for adjustment to MS or for newly diagnosed pwMS, which fell within 10 intervention categories (e.g. cognitive behavioural interventions, educational programmes, relaxation activities, etc.). There was some evidence that these interventions improved coping with MS and quality of life. However, how much difference these interventions could make to people's adjustment was inconclusive.
Conclusion: Although there were interventions that were developed to improve psychosocial adjustment, it was difficult to conclude from the available evidence whether these interventions were particularly effective with newly diagnosed patient groups as most of the interventions were administered to and tested with mixed groups of pwMS (i.e., newly diagnosed and people diagnosed longer than 5 years). Our findings demonstrated that there is a need to design a support programme that specifically targets newly diagnosed pwMS to provide effective emotional support and advice around the point of diagnosis.
Disclosure: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. This research is funded by the MS Society UK.
Gogem Topcu: Nothing to disclose.
Holly Griffiths: Nothing to disclose.
Clare Bale: Nothing to disclose.
Avril Drummond: Nothing to disclose.
Nikos Evangelou: Nothing to disclose.
Sara Clarke: Nothing to disclose.
Emma Trigg: Nothing to disclose.
Kristy-Jane Martin: Nothing to disclose.
Deborah Fitzsimmons: Nothing to disclose.
Roshan dasNair: Nothing to disclose.